Brian Cole, the talented chef de cuisine at Hearth, a top fine dining restaurant in Perth, Australia, nearly became a victim of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war 28 years ago. Born in Sierra Leone, Cole’s escape from a life as a child soldier happened due to his mother’s quick thinking. While playing a game of hide-and-seek, his mother hid him and his cousin under the stairs, sensing the danger as rebels ransacked their neighborhood. After a harrowing escape to Guinea, they were later held captive before finally escaping to Ghana. A long wait in a refugee camp led to their asylum in Australia, a country they had never heard of, but where Cole’s life would take an unexpected turn.
Arriving in Perth at 11, Cole was struck by the abundance of fast food, something foreign to him. His mother had always made homemade meals for their family, and to him, fast food was a rare treat. Despite the cultural shock, Cole excelled in school, especially in home economics, sparking his interest in cooking. At 16, he won a school cooking competition, which set him on his path toward a culinary career. His apprenticeship at Crown Perth led to positions at various prestigious restaurants, including Bistro Guillaume and Subiaco Hotel, before the opportunity to work at Hearth emerged during the pandemic.
At Hearth, Cole faced the challenge of working with indigenous Australian ingredients, but his dedication paid off. The chef de cuisine quickly mastered the use of unique bush herbs and received glowing reviews for his dishes. He later showcased his West African heritage in fine dining, introducing flavors from his homeland, including the savory jollof rice and tomato stew, dishes close to his heart.
Brian Cole’s journey from Sierra Leone to Perth and his rise in Australia’s culinary scene demonstrates his resilience and talent. He has now set his sights on opening his own West African restaurant, continuing to push boundaries and elevate African cuisine in fine dining. Cole’s success story reflects his determination to not only survive but thrive in the face of adversity.
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